Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
ICFW - GUILT - "I OWE YOU"
Hey guys, part two of our series from Andy Stanley's book, It Came From Within, dealt with guilt. When we do something "wrong" to someone, it establishes GUILT that gets lodged in our heart. As a result, guilt screams "I OWE YOU" to the person who you feel guilty toward. Following me?
Whether its a father who left their family, a student who told their best friend's secret, a son/daughter who lied to their parent about where they went on the weekend...the offender now owes and guilt is established in the heart! Nothing less that paying the debt will relieve a guilty heart of its burden.
I talked about how our attempt at emptying our "sin bucket" every night before bed, only to fill it back up the next day with the same things, is a poor attempt at feeling better about what we did! It becomes more about "feeling better" than actually changing our lives. Not only that, it is an insult to the final work that Christ did on the cross! Good thing He loves us unconditionally. We wouldn't put up with friends like that!
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confession, the way that God created it is the ONLY way to rid guilt and stop reoccurring sin in our lives. Jesus said "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift" - Matthew 5:23-24. dc Talk had a song out a long time ago titled "Just Between You And Me". It talked about how unresolved offenses keeping us from the throne of God.
In order to reconcile our differences with Christ, we have to reconcile to those we feel guilty toward (because we wronged them). Open confession to the ones we have wronged have the power to break the cycle of sin in our lives. THAT IS WHAT CONFESSION IS ALL ABOUT! God's forgiveness does not exempt us from the responsibility of confession and restitution. His forgiveness is the very reason to confess in the first place!
Check back in next week when we tackle ANGER!
Love you guys ~ Brian
Whether its a father who left their family, a student who told their best friend's secret, a son/daughter who lied to their parent about where they went on the weekend...the offender now owes and guilt is established in the heart! Nothing less that paying the debt will relieve a guilty heart of its burden.
I talked about how our attempt at emptying our "sin bucket" every night before bed, only to fill it back up the next day with the same things, is a poor attempt at feeling better about what we did! It becomes more about "feeling better" than actually changing our lives. Not only that, it is an insult to the final work that Christ did on the cross! Good thing He loves us unconditionally. We wouldn't put up with friends like that!
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confession, the way that God created it is the ONLY way to rid guilt and stop reoccurring sin in our lives. Jesus said "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift" - Matthew 5:23-24. dc Talk had a song out a long time ago titled "Just Between You And Me". It talked about how unresolved offenses keeping us from the throne of God.
In order to reconcile our differences with Christ, we have to reconcile to those we feel guilty toward (because we wronged them). Open confession to the ones we have wronged have the power to break the cycle of sin in our lives. THAT IS WHAT CONFESSION IS ALL ABOUT! God's forgiveness does not exempt us from the responsibility of confession and restitution. His forgiveness is the very reason to confess in the first place!
Check back in next week when we tackle ANGER!
Love you guys ~ Brian
Thursday, October 16, 2008
IT CAME FROM WITHIN!!!
Okay guys, last night was the start of our new month long lesson on the heart. This series is taken from Andy Stanley's book of the same title, "It Came From Within". Last night we talked about how events/situations/life brings things (good and bad) that lodge in our heart. Whether its your parents' divorce, a painful childhood memory, a mistake you recently made, or disappointment...life is generally hard on the heart! Over time, the bad things go unaccounted for and continue to grow within us, affecting how we function and live life (Remember the alien embryos?). We start putting up walls and start ignoring to condition of the heart, taking the excuse "That's just the way I am", instead of facing the issues of the heart.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Over the next several weeks, we are going to look at 4 primary enemies of the heart. We will identify them and discover ways to bring them to light. This will help us clean our heart and stay away from "Spiritual Heart Disease". If we are going to make it through "LIFE", we have to discover ways of cleansing our heart.
Remember God's promise: Ezekiel 36:26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
So the question of the week is: HOW IS YOUR HEART?
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Over the next several weeks, we are going to look at 4 primary enemies of the heart. We will identify them and discover ways to bring them to light. This will help us clean our heart and stay away from "Spiritual Heart Disease". If we are going to make it through "LIFE", we have to discover ways of cleansing our heart.
Remember God's promise: Ezekiel 36:26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
So the question of the week is: HOW IS YOUR HEART?
CH CH CH CHANGES...
Teens/Parents,
Elevate is undergoing some changes! Ever heard the saying "the only thing constant is change?" Well, we are undergoing some...but they are good changes! Great even. As we begin, I commit to each of you, student and parent alike, that we will have quality programs, that build and lift our folks to a better relationship with Christ.
Now, let's get to it!
Check back in weekly, as I will begin posting notes from the week's lessons. Teens, you guys can use them as refreshers and catcher-uppers (how do you like that word!). Parents, you can use them to stay informed on what we discuss and use them as conversation starters.
Love you guys - Brian
Elevate is undergoing some changes! Ever heard the saying "the only thing constant is change?" Well, we are undergoing some...but they are good changes! Great even. As we begin, I commit to each of you, student and parent alike, that we will have quality programs, that build and lift our folks to a better relationship with Christ.
Now, let's get to it!
Check back in weekly, as I will begin posting notes from the week's lessons. Teens, you guys can use them as refreshers and catcher-uppers (how do you like that word!). Parents, you can use them to stay informed on what we discuss and use them as conversation starters.
Love you guys - Brian
Monday, October 6, 2008
Orlando Pics
I think everyone would agree that the Orlando - Rock the Universe trip was awesome! We made many memories and laughed our heads off! Thanks to all who helped make this trip a complete success!
The whole group - check out that Florida blue sky!
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